Monday, December 25, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Bladder Infection anyone?
At 3:15 this afternoon in the grocery store, I felt some severe pain coming on and by the time I got home, I felt like a truck hit me. Here I am five hours later on two meds for a bladder infection. Good news is that it's supposed to kick in after an hour or so (still waiting). At least I get to take the day off tomorrow...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Nutcracker: The video is here
Hey friends and family!
Thought you'd like to see an authentic version of "The Nutcracker." Here are two scenes from it: the children's dance and the fight scene.
Thought you'd like to see an authentic version of "The Nutcracker." Here are two scenes from it: the children's dance and the fight scene.
Not just a "Holiday Concert"...
As a musician, I am routinely hired to play a few "holiday gigs." Most of these concerts range from church musicals to background music.
This past weekend, the Asheville Symphony gave it's annual "Holiday Pops" concert. I wasn't expecting much, just the usual Sleigh Ride, maybe some Home Alone selections and a few traditional carols. I was right. Thos things were all programed. However, our conductor also programed several traditional Christmas carols. These turned out to be the focus of the whole program.
The first half set the mood for the rest of the concert. We began with what I mentioned earlier; Home Alone, Sleigh ride, and then transitioned into some pieces performed by the ASO Children's chorus. After all the traditional stuff you usually hear at Christmas pops, the first half concluded with selections from Handel's Messiah. This piece is always moving, especially the Halleluiah chorus. There is a tradition, branching back to the 16th century, to stand when the Halleluiah chorus is performed. When the King of England heard it for the first time, he was so moved by the lyrics, that he couldn't help but stand. Check out the lyrics...
I was moved to tears as I played and watched as the whole auditorium stood to the lyrics "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah!" and "And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, forever and ever. And Lord of Lords, Halleluiah, Halleluiah." I was reminded of Romans 14:
This past weekend, the Asheville Symphony gave it's annual "Holiday Pops" concert. I wasn't expecting much, just the usual Sleigh Ride, maybe some Home Alone selections and a few traditional carols. I was right. Thos things were all programed. However, our conductor also programed several traditional Christmas carols. These turned out to be the focus of the whole program.
The first half set the mood for the rest of the concert. We began with what I mentioned earlier; Home Alone, Sleigh ride, and then transitioned into some pieces performed by the ASO Children's chorus. After all the traditional stuff you usually hear at Christmas pops, the first half concluded with selections from Handel's Messiah. This piece is always moving, especially the Halleluiah chorus. There is a tradition, branching back to the 16th century, to stand when the Halleluiah chorus is performed. When the King of England heard it for the first time, he was so moved by the lyrics, that he couldn't help but stand. Check out the lyrics...
I was moved to tears as I played and watched as the whole auditorium stood to the lyrics "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah!" and "And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, forever and ever. And Lord of Lords, Halleluiah, Halleluiah." I was reminded of Romans 14:
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God"
and every tongue shall give praise to God"
I can't imagine what it will look like when the whole world will bow before the Lord, can you?
Monday, December 04, 2006
Nutcracker Mania comes to an end....
That's right, Bell Elementary's production of "The Nutcracker" has sadly come to an end. It was a huge hit last THursday with more than 400 people in attendance. (Our school has only 320 kids). Every kid got to wear a costume, act, and perform a dance. It was the highlight of my year thus far and I can't wait to do it again in two years with new 2nd and 3rd graders. I couldn't get any more pictures to download, so here's one of the kids doing the "waltz."
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